PlanetScale vs Convex
PlanetScale is Serverless MySQL platform with branching, non-blocking schema changes, and unlimited scalability, while Convex is reactive backend-as-a-service with real-time sync, scheduled functions, and file storage. The biggest difference up front: Convex is free, while PlanetScale starts at $39/mo. PlanetScale is built for teams running mysql at scale who need safe schema migrations, whereas Convex targets full-stack developers wanting a reactive backend.
At a glance
|
PlanetScale
|
Convex
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Teams running MySQL at scale who need safe schema migrations | Full-stack developers wanting a reactive backend |
| Starting price | $39/mo | Free |
| Free tier | — | ✓ |
| Open source | — | — |
| Free tier available | — | ✓ |
| Open source | — | — |
| Auto-scaling | ✓ | — |
| Database Branching | ✓ | — |
| File Storage | — | ✓ |
| Query Insights | ✓ | — |
| Real-Time Sync | — | ✓ |
| Scheduling | — | ✓ |
| Schema Migrations | ✓ | — |
| Server Functions | — | ✓ |
PlanetScale
Strengths
- Git-like branching for safe schema changes
- Non-blocking schema migrations with zero downtime
- Built on Vitess for proven horizontal scalability
- Excellent developer experience and CLI tools
Weaknesses
- No free tier — minimum $39/month commitment
- No foreign key constraint support by default
- MySQL only — no Postgres option
- Vendor lock-in with proprietary branching features
Convex
Strengths
- Includes Real-Time Sync as a core feature, purpose-built for database workflows
- Includes Server Functions as a core feature, purpose-built for database workflows
- Free for small projects — generous enough for most small teams to get real work done
- Includes file storage alongside the core feature set — fewer separate tools needed
Weaknesses
- Free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade
- Fewer built-in features means you may need additional tools to cover gaps
- Ecosystem of third-party integrations is smaller than the market leaders in database
- Limited team/admin features if your organization eventually scales up
The bottom line
Pricing: Convex is completely free (Free for small projects), which makes it the obvious pick if budget is the top concern. PlanetScale starts at $39/mo. That cost buys you a more polished or feature-rich experience, so it comes down to whether the extras justify the spend.
Feature gaps: PlanetScale offers Auto-scaling, Database Branching and Query Insights that Convex lacks. Convex brings File Storage, Real-Time Sync and Scheduling that PlanetScale does not have.
Team fit: Both tools target small teams teams, so the decision hinges on features and workflow fit rather than scale.
Where each tool shines: PlanetScale's biggest strengths are: git-like branching for safe schema changes. non-blocking schema migrations with zero downtime. Convex's biggest strengths are: includes real-time sync as a core feature, purpose-built for database workflows. includes server functions as a core feature, purpose-built for database workflows.
Watch out for: With PlanetScale, users commonly note that no free tier — minimum $39/month commitment. With Convex, the main complaint is that free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade.
Choose PlanetScale if...
- Your profile matches its sweet spot: teams running mysql at scale who need safe schema migrations
- You specifically need Auto-scaling and Database Branching
- You care about non-blocking schema migrations with zero downtime
Choose Convex if...
- You need a tool built for full-stack developers wanting a reactive backend
- Budget is a hard constraint — Convex is free, PlanetScale is not
- You specifically need File Storage and Real-Time Sync
- You care about includes server functions as a core feature, purpose-built for database workflows
- The free tier works for you: free for small projects
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